In our first "How To..." guide of 2025, Dr Laurie is asking how can we stop striving for perfection and make peace with the idea that it's ok to lead messy and "half-assed" lives. 

Oliver Burkeman (author of Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time For What Counts) explains how we can embrace imperfection and find liberation and joy in just doing our best. 

In our first "How To..." guide of 2025, Dr Laurie is asking how can we stop striving for perfection and make peace with the idea that it's ok to lead messy and "half-assed" lives.&nbsp;
Oliver Burkeman (author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oliverburkeman.com/">Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time For What Counts</a>) explains how we can embrace imperfection and find liberation and joy in just doing our best.&nbsp;

The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you.

With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim — using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.

The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won&rsquo;t protect you.
With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim &mdash;&nbsp;using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

How To Embrace Imperfection

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/823779a5-ded4-465d-8501-b24a0113262d/transcript

When we’re exhausted, overworked, or just going through a difficult time, our instinct is often to put our heads down and simply focus on getting through it. But those serious moments may actually be when we benefit from a little silliness and absurdity the most.

Laurie explores the science of humor with comedian Chris Duffy, host of How to Be a Better Human and author of the new book Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy. Chris shares what he’s learned about how to find humor in almost any situation — and how embracing the funny can improve our wellbeing in surprising ways.

Experts Mentioned:
Chris Duffy, comedian, author, and host of How to Be a Better Human
E. B. White, writer and essayist 
Mimi M.Y. Tse, Assistant Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Ross Gay, poet, essayist, and Professor of English at Indiana University 
Annie Rauwerda, creator of “Depths of Wikipedia”
Aparna Nancherla, comedian and author
Greg Bryant, Professor of Communication at UCLA
Adam Mastroianni, experimental psychologist and author

Resources Mentioned:
Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy, by Chris Duffy (2026)
How to Be a Better Human, TED podcast hosted by Chris Duffy
“The impression management benefits of humorous self-disclosures: How humor influences perceptions of veracity,” by T. Bradford Bitterly and Maurice Schweitzer (Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2019)
“The effect of a pratfall on increasing interpersonal attractiveness,” by Elliot Aronson, Ben Willerman, and Joanne Floyd (Human Learning and Thinking, 1966)
“Humor Therapy: Relieving Chronic Pain and Enhancing Happiness for Older Adults,” Mimi Tse, Anna Lo, Tracy Cheng, Eva Chan, Annie Chan, and Helena Chung (Journal of Aging Research, 2010)
The Book of Delights: Essays, by Ross Gay (2019)
Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching, directed by Owen Reiser (2025)
“Depths of Wikipedia”
“Hello, stranger? Pleasant conversations are preceded by concerns about starting one,” by Juliana Schroeder, Donald Lyons, and Nicholas Epley (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 2022) 
“The Perception of Spontaneous and Volitional Laughter Across 21 Societies,” by Greg Bryant et al. (Psychological Science, 2018)
“Neural substrates of spontaneous musical performance: an FMRI study of jazz improvisation,” by Charles Limb and Allen Braun (PLoS One, 2008)
“Good conversations have lots of doorknobs,” by Adam Mastroianni (Experimental History, 2022)

Related Episodes:
“Laurie Gets a Fun-tervention (Part One)”
“The Surprising Case for Oversharing”
“How To Embrace Imperfection”

When we&rsquo;re exhausted, overworked, or just going through a difficult time, our instinct is often to put our heads down and simply focus on getting through it. But those serious moments may actually be when we benefit from a little silliness and absurdity the most.
Laurie explores the science of humor with comedian Chris Duffy, host of <a href="https://www.ted.com/series/how_to_be_a_better_human" data-airgap-id="11">How to Be a Better Human</a> and author of the new book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Humor-Me-Laughing-Creative-Connected/dp/0385550685/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.U6HrxtasiMFZl-Z8JpvC98-94qqVPQxzDb1VXcL9M7c5fOf8zZymTWg4Ho9yt1DN61us9x3oJOKQZ-CZihLcYkuI_BPtrdfGsFxEvhBMxPxogkgDNQgbOtwX_8cVAYCJ6rSn8vNI00MprtJAtYwbmgRZ6Y_QTp3X0oPUZnZvQ-0_EDP7n8ppTAQr37-fm7jsjK9NCkipTdeBHsFJhqH49GkO7NS-mWGkhuzdAmJ8GBk.oaCFX_taW-dAU0X5qIcS8OKtkzyMnSnn5hsEywsoskM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=695427272296&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=67&amp;hvlocphy=9004400&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=7308670348439723714--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=7308670348439723714&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2292458302549&amp;hydadcr=15932_13557701&amp;keywords=humor+me+book&amp;mcid=0e7af600ef7237fc84b0f35efebc1931&amp;qid=1790173396&amp;sr=8-1" data-airgap-id="12">Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy</a>. Chris shares what he&rsquo;s learned about how to find humor in almost any situation &mdash; and how embracing the funny can improve our wellbeing in surprising ways.
Experts Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1J3UhISUl9UK8gGzbTCvQ7c6BCRLiBsSjPF-JLMDGyWo/edit" data-airgap-id="13">Chris Duffy</a>, comedian, author, and host of <a href="https://www.ted.com/series/how_to_be_a_better_human" data-airgap-id="14">How to Be a Better Human</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/02/books/eb-white-essayist-and-stylist-dies.html" data-airgap-id="15">E. B. White</a>, writer and essayist&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mimi-Tse" data-airgap-id="16">Mimi M.Y. Tse</a>, Assistant Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.rossgay.net/about" data-airgap-id="17">Ross Gay</a>, poet, essayist, and Professor of English at Indiana University&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://annierau.com/" data-airgap-id="18">Annie Rauwerda</a>, creator of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.depthsofwiki.com/" data-airgap-id="19">Depths of Wikipedia</a>&rdquo;</li>
<li><a href="https://aparnacomedy.com/" data-airgap-id="20">Aparna Nancherla</a>, comedian and author</li>
<li><a href="https://comm.ucla.edu/person/greg-bryant-2/" data-airgap-id="21">Greg Bryant</a>, Professor of Communication at UCLA</li>
<li><a href="https://www.adammastroianni.com/" data-airgap-id="22">Adam Mastroianni</a>, experimental psychologist and author</li>
</ul>
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Humor-Me-Laughing-Creative-Connected/dp/0385550685/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.U6HrxtasiMFZl-Z8JpvC98-94qqVPQxzDb1VXcL9M7c5fOf8zZymTWg4Ho9yt1DN61us9x3oJOKQZ-CZihLcYkuI_BPtrdfGsFxEvhBMxPxogkgDNQgbOtwX_8cVAYCJ6rSn8vNI00MprtJAtYwbmgRZ6Y_QTp3X0oPUZnZvQ-0_EDP7n8ppTAQr37-fm7jsjK9NCkipTdeBHsFJhqH49GkO7NS-mWGkhuzdAmJ8GBk.oaCFX_taW-dAU0X5qIcS8OKtkzyMnSnn5hsEywsoskM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=695427272296&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=67&amp;hvlocphy=9004400&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=7308670348439723714--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=7308670348439723714&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2292458302549&amp;hydadcr=15932_13557701&amp;keywords=humor+me+book&amp;mcid=0e7af600ef7237fc84b0f35efebc1931&amp;qid=1790173396&amp;sr=8-1" data-airgap-id="23">Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy</a>, by Chris Duffy (2026)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ted.com/series/how_to_be_a_better_human" data-airgap-id="24">How to Be a Better Human</a>, TED podcast hosted by Chris Duffy</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749597817306325?via%3Dihub" data-airgap-id="25">The impression management benefits of humorous self-disclosures: How humor influences perceptions of veracity</a>,&rdquo; by T. Bradford Bitterly and Maurice Schweitzer (Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2019)</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/BF03342263" data-airgap-id="26">The effect of a pratfall on increasing interpersonal attractiveness</a>,&rdquo; by Elliot Aronson, Ben Willerman, and Joanne Floyd (Human Learning and Thinking, 1966)</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21151506/" data-airgap-id="27">Humor Therapy: Relieving Chronic Pain and Enhancing Happiness for Older Adults</a>,&rdquo; Mimi Tse, Anna Lo, Tracy Cheng, Eva Chan, Annie Chan, and Helena Chung (Journal of Aging Research, 2010)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616207922?lv=shuf&amp;channelId=500&amp;plpRedirect=mhFallback" data-airgap-id="28">The Book of Delights: Essays</a>, by Ross Gay (2019)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38023177/?_ssoLoop=1" data-airgap-id="29">Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching</a>, directed by Owen Reiser (2025)</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.depthsofwiki.com/" data-airgap-id="30">Depths of Wikipedia</a>&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34618536/" data-airgap-id="31">Hello, stranger? Pleasant conversations are preceded by concerns about starting one</a>,&rdquo; by Juliana Schroeder, Donald Lyons, and Nicholas Epley (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 2022)&nbsp;</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30044711/" data-airgap-id="32">The Perception of Spontaneous and Volitional Laughter Across 21 Societies</a>,&rdquo; by Greg Bryant et al. (Psychological Science, 2018)</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18301756/" data-airgap-id="33">Neural substrates of spontaneous musical performance: an FMRI study of jazz improvisation</a>,&rdquo; by Charles Limb and Allen Braun (PLoS One, 2008)</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.experimental-history.com/p/good-conversations-have-lots-of-doorknobs" data-airgap-id="34">Good conversations have lots of doorknobs</a>,&rdquo; by Adam Mastroianni (Experimental History, 2022)</li>
</ul>
Related Episodes:
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/laurie-gets-a-fun-tervention-part-one" data-airgap-id="35">Laurie Gets a Fun-tervention (Part One)</a>&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/the-surprising-case-for-oversharing" data-airgap-id="36">The Surprising Case for Oversharing</a>&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/how-to-embrace-imperfection" data-airgap-id="37">How To Embrace Imperfection</a>&rdquo;</li>
</ul>

Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris Duffy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/99fdd902-538a-4102-a69c-b4d00172d2be/transcript

Today we're sharing author Eric Zimmer’s interview with Dr. Laurie on The One You Feed podcast. 

In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses the importance of taking small steps to happiness and the science of mindful living. She reminds us that happiness is not a destination, but a practice. By understanding the science behind well-being and implementing small, consistent changes, we can learn how to apply these insights to our own lives to find greater joy and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:
Embrace the power of small, consistent actions in shaping our happiness
Understand how our environment and social connections influence our behavior
Learn the common misconceptions about what truly makes us happy
Discover strategies for overcoming loneliness and building meaningful connections

If you like what you hear, find The One You Feed wherever you get podcasts.

Today we're sharing author Eric Zimmer&rsquo;s interview with Dr. Laurie on <a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/" data-airgap-id="11">The One You Feed</a> podcast.&nbsp;
In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses the importance of taking small steps to happiness and the science of mindful living. She reminds us that happiness is not a destination, but a practice. By understanding the science behind well-being and implementing small, consistent changes, we can learn how to apply these insights to our own lives to find greater joy and fulfillment.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Embrace the power of small, consistent actions in shaping our happiness</li>
<li>Understand how our environment and social connections influence our behavior</li>
<li>Learn the common misconceptions about what truly makes us happy</li>
<li>Discover strategies for overcoming loneliness and building meaningful connections</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear, find The One You Feed wherever you get podcasts.

Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e89fe992-b9ce-41c1-8c5a-b4cf011fa7a4/transcript

Most of us are familiar with this frustrating pattern: you set a goal, start off strong, but then lose motivation and end up right back at square one. Why does it seem so hard to change — even when you have a plan in place? Turns out, you may be aiming too high, too soon.

Laurie breaks down the science behind this pattern with Eric Zimmer, host of the award-winning podcast “The One You Feed” and author of the new book How A Little Becomes A Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life. Eric spent years struggling to overcome a heroin addiction before eventually turning his life around. He explains why lasting change often comes from making consistent progress in the right direction rather than attempting one dramatic transformation, and shares what he’s learned about building momentum, overcoming setbacks, and finally reaching the goals we’ve been striving for.

Experts Mentioned:
Eric Zimmer, author and host of “The One You Feed”
Steven Pressfield, author

Resources Mentioned:
How A Little Becomes A Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life, by Eric Zimmer (2026)
“The One You Feed,” hosted by Eric Zimmer 
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield (2002)

Related Episodes:
"Dump Your Inner Drill Sergeant"
"How to Kick Bad Habits (and Start Good Ones)"
"You Only Live Once… So Commit"

Most of us are familiar with this frustrating pattern: you set a goal, start off strong, but then lose motivation and end up right back at square one. Why does it seem so hard to change &mdash; even when you have a plan in place? Turns out, you may be aiming too high, too soon.
Laurie breaks down the science behind this pattern with <a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/about-eric-zimmer/" data-airgap-id="11">Eric Zimmer</a>, host of the award-winning podcast &ldquo;<a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/category/featured/" data-airgap-id="12">The One You Feed</a>&rdquo; and author of the new book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063420805?lv=shuf&amp;hvlocphy=9004400&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;mcid=&amp;hvext=372720227149&amp;hvadid=813009524573&amp;language=en_US&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvcampaign=23942094413&amp;hydadcr=18393_13883182_2506261&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvocijid=6768543887556236076--&amp;hvqmt=a&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;tag=smgglusdsadts-20&amp;hvtargid=kwl-2484167636399&amp;adgrpid=199045999082&amp;hvrand=6768543887556236076&amp;channelId=500&amp;ref_=&amp;plpRedirect=mhFallback" data-airgap-id="13">How A Little Becomes A Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life</a>. Eric spent years struggling to overcome a heroin addiction before eventually turning his life around. He explains why lasting change often comes from making consistent progress in the right direction rather than attempting one dramatic transformation, and shares what he&rsquo;s learned about building momentum, overcoming setbacks, and finally reaching the goals we&rsquo;ve been striving for.
Experts Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/about-eric-zimmer/" data-airgap-id="14">Eric Zimmer</a>, author and host of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/category/featured/" data-airgap-id="15">The One You Feed</a>&rdquo;</li>
<li><a href="https://stevenpressfield.com/" data-airgap-id="16">Steven Pressfield</a>, author</li>
</ul>
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063420805?lv=shuf&amp;hvlocphy=9004400&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;mcid=&amp;hvext=372720227149&amp;hvadid=813009524573&amp;language=en_US&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvcampaign=23942094413&amp;hydadcr=18393_13883182_2506261&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvocijid=6768543887556236076--&amp;hvqmt=a&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;tag=smgglusdsadts-20&amp;hvtargid=kwl-2484167636399&amp;adgrpid=199045999082&amp;hvrand=6768543887556236076&amp;channelId=500&amp;ref_=&amp;plpRedirect=mhFallback" data-airgap-id="17">How A Little Becomes A Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life</a>, by Eric Zimmer (2026)</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/category/featured/" data-airgap-id="18">The One You Feed</a>,&rdquo; hosted by Eric Zimmer&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-War-of-Art-Steven-Pressfield-audiobook/dp/B07PTBYH2G/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lgZ11asrWu6SED87cPivW3hMEwYZgERUGnRjSkYAEYCz8ybEbXI9L4cmWGLh8hYngWocju20shK1F1QVY_kkSRE5rZUQR1H2-EKiN1InTy2CPYSl1YoYLmK5JDa5QqTODRLpbLIvM4OtkpWmKfCPdJ-N0RzGfOBbqpugnKaRr34KGTjEGd3fa_73Di0J91D49eR3AqGOIEpqGt1CNafRrV1fB3T0tM6aZ61fRLzgohc.hdeviY2LPYc4Nvo3JO0tgZV8yq6TYw9SvFS1_Ab2OMA&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=792740976374&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=67&amp;hvlocphy=9004400&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=18342432930842640156--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=18342432930842640156&amp;hvtargid=kwd-342894155&amp;hydadcr=15702_13884898&amp;keywords=the+war+of+art&amp;mcid=75f2f1bc00e632eaaa5d168e451585b0&amp;qid=1789750172&amp;sr=8-1" data-airgap-id="19">The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles</a> by Steven Pressfield (2002)</li>
</ul>
Related Episodes:
<ul>
<li>"<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/dump-your-inner-drill-sergeant" data-airgap-id="20">Dump Your Inner Drill Sergeant</a>"</li>
<li>"<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/how-to-kick-bad-habits-and-start-good-ones" data-airgap-id="21">How to Kick Bad Habits (and Start Good Ones)</a>"</li>
<li>"<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/you-only-live-once-so-commit" data-airgap-id="22">You Only Live Once&hellip; So Commit</a>"</li>
</ul>

Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric Zimmer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1bbc6e50-7b04-4877-8c69-b4c9013e0973/transcript

How To Embrace Imperfection

In 1 playlist(s)

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips